Obituary of Phyllis Franke

Phyllis Franke (née Barrett), a lifelong Madison resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022 at Morristown Medical Center. She was 79.

Phyllis is survived by her beloved husband, York Franke of Madison; two loving sons, York C. Franke and his wife Tracey Brennan-Franke of Chester Twp. & Erik Franke of Madison; one sister, Shirley Mahoney and her husband Dennis; her granddaughter and her great granddaughter, three loving nieces, and many dear friends.

Phyllis was born in Morristown on December 5, 1942 to the late Anthony and Mary Barrett (née Mondello). She grew up with her sister on South Street and had many fond memories of her childhood in Madison. Phyllis always had plenty of cousins and extended family to play with as a child as they all lived in the vicinity of South Street. She was in one of the first years of graduating classes from the then-new Madison High School.

Phyllis first met her husband York Franke in Union, NJ when he was here from then West Germany visiting friends from the United States. York was warmly welcomed into Phyllis’ family, and after he and Phyllis were married the couple settled in Madison. Phyllis was a wonderful cook and she retained the old Italian family recipes from South Street, which she lovingly passed down to the next generation.

Phyllis had a long career as an administrative assistant with New England Financial at their Greenbrook, NJ office. She was a well-versed bookkeeper and office manager who kept everything in order.

Phyllis’ devotion was to her family, especially to her sons, York and Erik who her life revolved around. She was an incredible mother and always supported her sons’ dreams.  She always had 100% faith in her sons.

Phyllis had many dear and lifelong friends. She always looked forward to monthly lunches out with her  friends from her high school days.

Phyllis had profound faith and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Phyllis’ life on Wednesday , January 26, 2022 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison followed by a 11:00AM service held at the funeral home. For the safety of all, we respectfully require that all those attending the visitation and funeral service wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.

Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.